The Doctor, in turn, was not terribly skilled at handling emotional outbursts. His usual go-to response was to say that he was sorry or, if he happened to be dealing with a woman, a hug. Both reactions didn't seem terribly appropriate here, but since hugging was most definitely out of the question, he'd have to go with apologies.
"I wish I could. I do," he found himself saying. "You deserve that life. You're brilliant at it. Really. I loved being you. I did. I'm sorry, John. I'm so sorry. But isn't this better than nothing? Extra time? Extra time to be you? There are people here on the TARDIS who are from times close to yours. There are even people here from the history that you teach! Reinette Poisson is here. How amazing is that? If you could just ... see it a bit differently. It isn't that bad, John. I swear to you, it's not."